Page 94 of Vow to Claim You

A brilliant observation, Ayanna. Truly the sharp mind my tutors promised.

He watches for a fraction before a tiny smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth I just kissed. “I noticed.”

“You said if you kissed me, this would stop being an arrangement.”

“I did.”

“And then you did it anyway.”

“Yes.”

The sheer steadiness of him is almost an insult. I fold my arms across my chest, as if that puts anything at all back where it belongs. “This was a mistake.”

He leans one shoulder against the stone beside me. “Was it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” He sounds genuinely amused, and he keeps smiling, showing off those perfect dimples.

“Because—” I stutter.

Because I liked it far more than I should have. Because the man I swore I’d never want is standing two feet away looking at me like I’m the only thing on this terrace worth his attention, and I am terrified of how much I wish it were true. None of which I’m going to say.

“Because once you cross a line like that, you can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”

“I have no intention of pretending.” His tone is low, unwavering, and my breath catches.

Because I’m not sure what this kiss means for our marriage. I only know I want him to kiss me again, and that my body yields to him as though it chose him long before my pride was ready to admit it. Every wall I’ve spent weeks building crumbles the moment he looks at me. Somehow, without ever asking permission, Aric Vold has branded himself beneath my skin. Somehow, I’ve lost the battle for my heart, and the man who won it happens to be one of the most feared men in the world.

Then my gaze drifts past his shoulder toward the reception and my stomach drops.

Chiara.

Several meters away, near the lip of the terrace, a champagne glass forgotten in her hand, her ivory dress shimmering in the light. Not talking to anyone. Just watching… Us.

Of course. Of course, of all people, it would be her.

I look away fast, heat climbing my throat.

Brilliant work, Ayanna. Not only did you kiss your husband but you kissed him at his ex’s wedding. In full view of the bride. Royal conduct of the highest order.

Aric notices the change in my face immediately. “What?”

I tip my head, the smallest fraction, toward the crowd behind him.

He turns back toward Chiara, who’s now drifting toward to Hyun-seok’s side. He looks at them for a long moment, expressionless, only that flawless stillness back in place.

Then his gaze returns to me. “And?”

My eyes widen. “And?”

“Am I supposed to be troubled?” His brow lifts, barely. “I’m not.”

“You just kissed your wife in front of the woman you were supposed to marry.”

“I kissed my wife.” He says it like the rest of the sentence isn’t worth the breath. “I fail to see the problem.”

I stare at him. “Your emotional range is genuinely concerning.”